Self-propelled vehicle.



A. H. C. GIBSON.

SELF PR'OPELLED VEHICLE.

APPLICATION min JuLvzs. |913. RENEwEn sEPLz. |915.

1 ,1 92,5 14. Patentd July 25, 1916,

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

A. H. C. GIBSON.

SELF PROPELLED VEHICLE.

APPLICATION min JULY 26.1913. RENEwED sPT.28. 19:5.

1 ,1 92,5 14. Patent-ed July 25, 1916.

' 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2. mf 9 1;/ W F 4. 1/

E| 29 |55 56 J2 35 .2l/J Z0 55 .5 5 f2 l/ 2l /Zf l! 5" 575 f8.

" i l f /7 4UNITED STATES 'PATENT oFFIoE.

.ARTHUR HUGO CECIJ GIBSON, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO AUTO-PED COMPANY OF AMERICA, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

SELF-PROPELLED VEHICL'E.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led July 26, 1913, Serial No. 781,297. Renewed September 28, 1915. Serial No. 53.158.

county and State of New York, have inl vented certain new and useful Improvements in Self-Propelled Vehicles, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the drawings herein referred to,

which are made a part hereof. y

My invention relates to self-propelled vehicles and more especially to a class, not as yet inl use, transportation of 'a single personyby means of a structure far more compact, light and simple than anything. now or heretofore made, and which, however, may be utilized by more than one person as will hereinafter appear..

The objects ef my invention are to produce a vehicle which will be extremely small, compact, and light in comparison to the load to be carried, and will be sufficiently power- 'ful to offer adequate means for quick locomotion under ordinary conditions and relaitively extreme economy in use and operation. It is well known that automobiles intended for several persons are to a very large extent used by one person' under which condition a vehicle of large weight, bulk and large initial cost and cost of operation, servesv to transport a person or goods representing a very small fraction of its own weight and bulk.

lVith the development of self-propelled bicycles, the person or persons transported represent a much larger percentage of the weight and in some cases may equal the weight of the vehicle, IVhereas among the objects of my invention is the production of a self-propelled structure well adapted for transportation of a load far in excess of its own weight, thereby effecting economy in initial cost and operation beyond any auto transportation means heretoforeavailable.

The invention consists irV the arrangement and construction of pai'ts and combination of the various elements. producing results as already mentioned or as will hereinafter appear.

lAs an illustration of the results obtainable by my invention, I make a vehicle weighing less than fifty pounds capable of eflicicnt transportation of a person of one intended primarily for the auto hundred and fifty pounds, and more: while the coinpactness of the structure permits its` being cairied by the rider when not in use. as conveniently as he would carry a hand satchel.

Inthe accompanying drawings are represented various views and parts as a specific form of embodiment of my invention.

Figure 1 is a plan view of the vehicle; Fig. 2 is a side elevation; Fig. 3 is a front elevation; Fig. 4 is a vertical section through the front wheel as shown at A-ll. Fig. l, drawn totwice the scale: Fig. 5 is a detail of clutch operating construction: Fig. G is a sectional viewrat line C--D of Fig. 5 to show gasolene supply control: Fig. T is af sectional view at El-F, Fig. -l. to show the brake control connections; Fig. 8 is a tragnientary side elevation showing the end of the steering and control handle.

In these drawings, the vehicle. which in some forms I call an aut-oped, Iembodies a platform 1, carried by frame 2, supported on two wheels 3 4, which. as shown, are tandem. The rear wheel 3 is supported on bearings rigidly carried on the fork 6 6 of the frame 2; the aXle of the forward wheel 4 is carried in a frame 5 rotatable on suitable annular bearings 7-7 formed in the frame 2, so that this wheel 4 may be turned to effect steering. The motor 8 with its controlling devices arc Supported to move with the rotatable oi' steering frame. to which is also connected the steering and control handle 9. l

The platform l may be made ot' any -suitable material such as laminated wood or sheet metal, and while I have shown the frame l formed of angle or channel section. both frame and platform may lie made of one piece formed or stamped to meet all the requirements of the structure. The rotatable fi'aiiie 5 is provided with suitable cross members lO-ll with dependingr web inembers lQ-l3-ll-15-l(l adapted for the support of the` motor .Q and the various other operating parts: suitable bearing surfaces ai'e provided circuinfei'entially on the upper side of the annular portion 5 and between tlie outer face of the depending flange 17 and the bearingT frame member T: an

anti-friction ring 1S is shown interposedA of the depending flange to prevent displacement of member The forward or driving'wheel l, with its nub 20, is rotatably mounted, in any wellknown manner on an axis or shaft 2l, said shaft being removably held in slots of webs 13 and 14 by suitable clamping nuts 22, 23. Fastened to or integral with hub 20 is one member 24 of the driving clutch 25, said driving clutch 25 being mounted on the ball bearing 26, the inner race of which is fixed against rotation on the sleeve 27 which is slidably supported on shaft 21 and secured against rotation on said shaft by key 28. Fixed to the outer end of sleeve 2T is a ring 29 provided with a cam groove 30.

Means for propellingr the autoped are provided in the motor 8, through its sprocket 31,'chain 32', and sprocket 26 of clutch member 25, the motor S being suitably secured to the rotatable frame member 5 in fixed relation to the driving wheel l.

Stearing and controlling means are also provided, comprising in the present embodiment the yoke members 32, 33 pivotally supported on pins or short shafts 34 and removably secured in slots of webs l2, 15 and 16 by the clamping nuts 36, 37 and 3S, the axes of said short shafts coinciding with the axis of shaft 21 of driving wheel 4. The yoke members 32 and I33 straddle the driving wheel 4 with its clutch and brake members, and' combine to support the upwardly eX tending steering handle 9, provided at its upper end with a cross-bar 39 and grip handles 40, 40.

The steering handle 9, made of tubing, forms the gasolene tank or supply reservoir for the motor 8. A pipe l1, secured in any suitable manner to the yoke member 32. conveys gasolene from the supply reservoir to the cutofl'l valve 43, a flexible tube l2 being interposed between the lower end of pipe 41 and said valve. As disclosed, the cutoff valve consists of a two-way cock provided with an operating lever 44 connected by a l link 45 to a lever or projection 46 carried by the bearing hub of the yoke member 32. A

@tube 47 conveys gasolene from the cutoff valve 43 to the carbureter 48.

Means for retarding or stopping the travel of the autoped are provided b v the brake 49, which may be of any of the wellknown forms. Its method of control, however, is of novel construction.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 7` bearings 50 and 51 formed on member l()` support a shaft 52, the axis of which is in a vertical lane passing through the axis of shaft 21.

he inner or wheel end of said shaft 52 carries an upwardly extending arm 53 connected to the brake arm 54 by a yielding connec: tion comprising the headed rod 55 passing through an aperture in arm 54 and the compression spring 56 interposed between said arm and head of said rod. Mounted at the outer end of shaft 52 is the quadrant shaped lever 5T, with the upwardly projecting lugs 5S and 59 designed to be engaged by a pin G0 carried by the yoke arm 33. Extending inwardly from the under side of the bearing on the voke arm is an arm 61 supporting at its outer end a roller 62 engaging the cani slot 30 of ring 29 on sleeve 27. The motor S is provided with suitable exhaust pipe and muliier, as shown, and also with suitable sparking and ignition timing devices, not shown. which latter may be controlled in any well known manner. such, for example. as by suitable wires connected to the grip handles 40, 40. A metal mud guard 63 is provided for the rear wheel 3 and a similar one, not shown, may be provided for the driving wheel l and its associated parts'. A combined supply inlet and vent for the gasolene reservoir 9 is provided in the cup 64 with cover 65 and closing lever 66, said lever being designed to engage the cam piece 6T supported on the wheel guard 63, when the steering handle 9 is in its reelined or folded position. A handle 68 attached to the platform 1 provides means for carrying the structure.

From the foregoing it will be seen the operation is as follows: The operator or rider raises the articulated stabilizing and steering handle 9 to a substantially vertical position, holding the structure with its two wheels erect andywith the steering handle in this position the brake is released and the clutch will be thrown into operation` connecting the motor with the driving wheel and at the same time establishing the flow of gasolene from the supply tank through suitable valves as described to the engine. Suitable electrical connections from the bat teries, not shown. being made through the timing device to the spark plug, the machine may now be started by pushing the vehicle forward which turns the engine, sucking` in a charge, and with the ignition effects the starting of the motor. As the autoped gathers headway, the operator steps on the platform with the hands on the grip handles 40. In his uprighvv position. the length of handle is Such aS to make the grips suitable in position for readily steering the vehicle by rotating the frame 5 by means of handle 9, and the control of the motor, clutch, fuel supply and brake is then effected by the inclination of the steering handle 9.

In Fig. 2 the several broken lines a, b, c, i show different positions of the axis of the steering handle. which are as follows: from the vertical position to the position as indicated by broke. ine a, all driving partsare in full operative engagement-between the positions of the steering handle as shown in broken lines a and b, the clutch is released due to the action of the roller 62 in cam slot 30 of the ring QQ on the sleeve 27, carrying clutch member ;-between the positions of the handle as indicated by broken lines /J and c the motor is ruiming free;- wlien the position of the steering vhandle passes the broken line c the gasolene supply has been cui, off' by valve 43. and then the pin engages the lug In) of the segment if', causing application of the brake, and through its flexible connection with arm 58 the braking is gradually effected while the steering handle 9 moves toward thc position shownby the broken line at which time thev gasolene is also eifectually cut off'. As shown in the folded position, that is when the handle 9 is so reclined as to reach the mud guard of the rear wheel, the lever 6G at its end engages the cam-GT, forcing the `cover G5 on its seat and effectually seals the cup yagainst leakage of gasolene from the supply tank.

As indicated in Fig. 2, there are broken lines showing a modified arrangement of the platform consisting of a drop of the frame such as 2 a shoit distance behind the front wheel, which brings the platform such as l on which the rider stands to a' level below the axes of the wheels. For stability in some forms of construction- I prefer to bring ilal platform below the center of the wheels, and l may also arrange other parts so 'that the enter of gravity of the structure, aside from the movable handle, will be below the center of the wheels. lIn cases where the wheels are of large diameter for fast running, I prefer the low frame, in order that the platform may be as near the ground as possible. In such case the muffler and other mechanispi will be arranged differently to prevent injury by colliding with obstacles on the road, or damage when the vehicle is inclined or lists going around curves. In some forms Iv may add steadying. wheels similar to such as already suggested for twowheeled vehicles, but I find that for sirnplicity and the many advantages inherent in the practical embodiment' of my invention, such and other adjuncts are usually superfluous.

I have already designed a modification intended to further minimize the weight of my vehicle, in which tubular construction is used in the frame, and also I design the engine so that it forms integrally the frame work between the platform and the driving wheel support, and in this arrangement bring the crank-shaft of the engine coincidcntwith the, axis of the driving wheel and bv' suitable gearing rotate the driving wheel substantially as a rim around the transmisw sion or reduction gearing,-all of whichy adds to the compactness and lightness of the vehicle. I A l Many modifications have beenI considered in design of differentparts and in their arrangement, and it will be understood that such can be made without departing from thc spirit of my inventiom-a seat may be added and the platform or frame or body may be variously designed without detracting from the advantages of my invention. ln cases of necessity an additional wheel may be added as, for instance, slow speed and more stability while-the structure will still embody many features of myinvention.

Ha ving due regard for the many changes that may be made from the specific form in which I have illustrated my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination. in a selflpropelled vehicle having two road wheels in tandem, a platform frame extending between said wheels and `adapted to carry a person standing thereon, a motor, means for connecting the motor to one of said ,wheels to rotate the latter for propelling the vehicle, and controlling means having an articulated stabilizing handle member extending to a positin in whichV a person mounted on said platform may control the same, and

nection from said stabilizing member *er `(patrolling the application of the motive power py movement of said stabilizing member on its articulation.

Q. In a self-propelled vehicle, a plurality of road. wheels including -front and rear wheels, a platform frame extending between the front and rear wheels, a motor for one of said wheels forming a ldriving wheel, means including a clutch for'connecting the motor with the^ driving wheel, steering l means connected with the driving wheel and including an articulated upwardly extending operating handle, and connections whereby the movement of the articulated handle in one plane is adapted to control the clutch and the movement of said handle in another plane is adapted to effect the steering, of the drivin'g wheel.

3. In a self-propelled vehicle, the combination of a pl'urality of road wheels including front and rear wheels, a platform frame extending between the front and rear wheels and adapted to carry a person standing on the platform, a steering wheel frame rotative in the forward end of the platform frame and in which one of said road wheels constituting a steeringwheel is mounted, an

upwardly extending combined steering and said bar-being adapted to be rocked on its,

pivot to different degreesof, inclination to control the power transmitted by a motor to a driving wheel, amotor mounted on the steering frame in conpinction with the steering wheel, and driving connections from the :motor to the steering, wheel including a clutch controlled by Said bar. i

4. In a self-propelled vehicle having a plurality of road wheels one of which is a steering wheel,'a motor mounted to partake of the steering movement of the steering wheel and adapted to be connected thereto, an upwardly extending articulated bar adapted to steer the steering wheel and to be moved on its articulation to different positions of inclination, a brake for said steering and driving wheel, and connections between said bar and the brake so that the movement of said bar on its articulation operates the brake.

5. In a self-propelled vehicle, two road wheels in tandem, a platform frame extending, between said wheels and adapted to carry a person standing thereon, a motor, driving connections therefor with one of said wheels including a clutch, an articulated upright having rigid stabilizing connections, and means for controlling the clutch by movement of said upright on its articulation.

6. In a self-propelled vehicle,-two road wheels in tandem, a carrying platform connecting said wheels in close proximity to the plane of rolling Contact of said wheels, means for steering the front wheel including an upwardly extending steering handle, a motor, driving -connections for the motor with said steering wheel, and rigid connec-4 tions for the steering handle in a plane transverse to the steering wheel so that said handle serves as a stabilizing member under the control of the operator.

7. In combination, in a self-propelled vehicle, two road wheels in tandem of a relatively small diameter, a carrying platform connecting said wheels in close proximity to the plane of rolling contact of said wheels, means for steering the front wheel includ ing an articulated upwardly extending steering and stabilizing bar, ay motor. and driving connections for the motor with the steering wheel including a clutch, the upwardly extending stabilizing bar being rigid in one plane with respect to the steering wheel and movable in other planes on its articulation to effect the control of the clutch.

S. In a self-propelled vehicle, two road wheels in tandem. a platform connecting said wheels in close proximity to the plane of rolling contact of said wheels. driving and steering connections for the forward wheel. a brake for the vehicle, an upwardliv extending stabilizingr and control bar located so as to be operated by the occupant of the vehicle and mounted for angular movement in a vertical plane. and connections between said bar and the brake so that angulai` movement of said bar in a vertical plane will operate the brake.

9. In a self-propelled vehicle having two road wheels in tandem, a platform supported by the wheels, an articulated stabilizing and control bar extending from the forward wheel and including a full tank. a motor associated with the forward wheel. drivingr connections for connecting the motor to the forward wheel, and fuel supplying connections from the fuel tank to the motor controlled by the movement of said bar on its articulation toward said platform to control the tlow of fuel to the motor.

10. In a selfpropelled vehicle having two road wheels in tandem. a platform supported by the wheels, an articulated stabilizing and control bar extending from the forward wheel and including a full tank. a motor associated with the forward wheel. driving ,connections for connecting the motor to the forward wheel. and fuel supplying connections from the fuel tank to the motor controlled b v said bar so that movement of said bar on its articulation to a position adjacent to said platform will cut off the flow of fuel to the motor.

1l. In a self-propelled vehicle having two road wheels in tandem. a stabilizing and control bar extending from the forward wheel and foldable away from lstabilizing position into a position adjacent to the rear wheel and including a fuel tank for the motor provided with a vent. a motor associated with the forward wheel. driving connections for ccnnecting the motor to the forward wheel. a closure for said full tank vent. land means adjacent to the rear wheel for forcing the closure on its seat to seal the vent when said bar is foldedawav from its stabilizing position.

1Q. In a self-propelled vehicle having two road wheels in tandem. a stabilizing and control bar pivotallv supported on an axis in line with the axis of the forward wheel. a motor associated with the forward wheel. driving connections including a clutch for y connecting the motor to' the forward wheel,

.and means operated b v the pivotal movement of said bar for engaging or disengaging the clutch.

13. Ina self-propelled vehicle having two road wheels in tandem. a stabilizing and control bar pivotall)v supported on an axis in line with the axis of the forward wheel, a motor associated with the forward wheel, driving connections for connecting the motor to the forward wheel. and means operated bv the pivotal movement of said bar in positions accessible to the occupant of thev vehicle for applying or releasing the brake.

1l. A self-propelled vehicle having. in combination. two road wheels in tandem one of which is a combined traction and steering wheel. a motor. a rotativelv mounted steering frame in common for supporting the motor and the combined traction and steering wheel. such frame having bearings for porting frame.

. erect on the platform.

'andthe said traction wheel for varying the relative speed. of the vmotor and the Said traction wheel, and means for imparting steering movement l5. In combination, in a self-propelled vehicle, two road wheels in tandem of a relatively small diameter, arcarrying 'platform extending between said wheels in' close proximityto the plane of rolling Contact of said wheels, and steering means connected lwith the front wheel, suchhsteering means including an upwardly extending stabilizing barl rigid with respect to said front'wheel in a vertical plane transverse to lsaid front wheel and adapted to be Operated by the occupant standing on the' platform to actuate the steering means. l

1G. In combination, in a. selfLpropelled Y vehicle', two road wheels of relativeli1 small diameter, a carrying platform 'extending betweenl the wheels yand adaptedy to carry ya person standing thereon, such platform having aflevel below the axis of one of the wheels, anda stabilizing bar operatively connectedwith lthefront wheel and having an operating handle, said bar extending to a position in 'which the operating handle thereof-is accessible to the occupant standing 17. In combination, in a self-propelled vehicle, a plurality of road wheels including front and rear. wheels, a platform'i frame extending between the front and rear wheels, a vmotor for one of said wheels forming a driving wheel, means'including a clutch for connecting the motorv ywith the driving wheel, steering means connected with one of said wheels, saidvsteering. means including an articulated upwardly extending operlat- -ing handle, and connections for controlling the clutch 'by the movement .of Said handle on its articulation and for steering the steering wheel by a different movement of said handle.

'18. A self-propelled vehicle having, in4

combination, front and rear road wheels` a motor for one of said wheels forming a driving wheel, means including a clutch for con,- necting the motor with the/driving wheel, a

. brake forthe driving,wheel,` means for steerto the said motor-supbrake for operating the brake by movement of said bar on its hinge.

19. A self-propelled vehicle having, in

combination, two road wheels'in tandem, one of which is a. steering wheel, a motor, driving 'connections for the motor with one of said wheels, such connections including a clutch, a. hinged upright having rigid stabilizing.conne`ctions connected tothe steeringwheel for steering and stabilizing, 'and clutch-controlling vconnections .actuated by movement of said upright'on its hinge.

-O.l A self-propelled vehicle having, in combination, two road Vwheels intandem,

one of said wheels being a steering wheel', a main frame for the vehicle, a steering frame carrying the steering wheel and pivotally mounted on the main frame, a'inotor forthe steering wheel carried 'by the steering frame, anda fuel tanli for the motor also carriedby the steering frame.

21. A selfpropelled .vehicle having,v in comblnation, front and rear 'road' wheels, a

4 motor for one of said` wheels lforming a' driv ing wheel, means including' a vclutch for connecting the motor with .the driving wheel, means for steering one' of `said wheels including a hinged steering andV control bar, and connections between such-'bar and the clutch for controlling the clutch by ino-'vefment of said bar on its hinge.

22. A selfpropelled' vehicle having in' combination front and 'rear road wheels, a

motor for one 'of said wheels forming a driving wheel. ,aY brake for one of said wheels, means for steering one of saidwvheels including a hinged steering and control bar,

andconnections between said bar. and the brake for controlling the brake b'y movement of said bar on its hinge. i

23. A self-propelled vehicle having, in combination` front and rear road wheels, a motor for one of said wheels forming a driving wheel` means for steering one of said wheels including a combined 'steering and control bar, and means for controlling the motor also including said bar,`said bar. being mounted to have, one movement'. for

steering and to have another movement for controlling the motor. 5

In testimony whereof, I have signed'my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 25th day of July, 1913. A

'ARTHUR HUGO oren. GIBSON.

lV-itnesses: Y

H. W. NICHOLS, H. MUCHMOBE. 

